dianette for acne

How Can Dianette Treat Acne?

Co-Cyprindiol or Dianette as it is mostly commonly known in the UK, is not just an effective contraceptive, its also used to treat acne

Dianette (Co-cyprinidiol) is a hormonal contraceptive pill that is commonly prescribed to treat acne and excess hair growth (Hirsutism) in women.

Though it acts as a contraceptive (prevents pregnancy) its not often prescribed just for this purpose, other contraceptive pills are preferred.

How Does Dianette Work?

Dianette contains two active ingredients.

An oestrogen; ethinylestradiol and a anti-androgen; cyproterone.

Androgens are what are responsible for acne as they can overstimulate the skin’s oil glands so you produce excess sebum (oil).

When a person has too much androgen it can cause the skin’s glands to become blocked, where they get infected and inflamed and this leads to acne.

It can also contribute to excess hair in unwanted places, particularly on the face and chest.

Dianette prevents you from producing as many androgens which helps to treat acne and hair growth.

Is Dianette Suitable For Me?

If you have acne and you need or want to take a contraceptive, Dianette is probably an option worth considering but you can’t buy Dianette in Ireland, it has to be prescribed.

However, it may not be suitable for the following:

Those with a history of blood clots

Those with high blood pressure

Those who have had breast cancer

Smokers

If you have Lupus (SLE or systemic lupus erythematosus)

People with heart conditions

If you have/have had depression

If you have any other conditions or are taking any other regular medication, you should discuss whether Dianette is right for you with your doctor.

How To Take Dianette

If you intend to use Dianette for contraceptive purposes as well as acne, take your first tablet on the first day of your period, take one for 21 days and then have 7 days break.

Continue doing this for as long as your doctor advises. Its best to take it at roughly the same time each day.

If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember and carry on taking them at the normal time even if you end up taking two tablets in one day.

Missing more than one dose may mean that you are at risk of pregnancy.

You should take your next dose as usual and carry on the usual way but you must use additional contraception i.e a condom for the next 7 days.

If the 7 days run beyond your last pill in the packet, you should not have a week’s break, instead, start the next pack as usual for 21 days and then have your usual 7 days break. You may not have a period until the end of the second pack.

Dianette Side Effects

The most common side effects from Dianette include;

Nausea/Stomach upset

Headache

Mood disturbances

Irregular menstrual cycle

Weight gain

Tender breasts

More serious side effects include;

Chest pain

Breathlessness

Loss of sight

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)

Fainting/seizure

Numbness on one side of the body

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

There is also an increased risk of a thrombosis (blood clot) particularly on long haul flights or if you are in hospital for example, to lower your risk you should wear special compression tights or stockings and try to move around as much as you can.

Dianette Controversy

Dianette has had a lot of negative press, an article in the Daily Mail told how a 17 year old girl died of deep vein thrombosis after being prescribed Dianette to treat her acne and it has subsequently been banned in certain places in Europe..*

Dianette is an effective medication, we know that it works to clear acne and is an effective contraception with a very high efficacy rate.

But it comes with a lot of potentially very serious risks, particularly over long-term use. There are many other acne treatments available as well as contraceptives which have a much lower incidence of serious consequences, we don’t feel that Dianette is a good option for most women, no matter how severe your acne might be.

There are many alternatives available so why not check out some natural acne treatments?

In The Media

The information in this website is for advice and guidance only. It is based on my own intensive research and personal experiences, and is not intended in any way to replace professional medical advice, or to diagnose or treat any health conditions.
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